From dinner time and playtime to fleas, worming and a safe home, explore thoughtful ways to care for your cat.
✦ Feeding
Choose a complete cat food suited to their age and follow the feeding guide, adjusting with your vet’s advice. Feed in a quiet place and keep bowls clean.
A change in appetite can have several causes, including mouth pain, illness or stress. Contact your vet promptly if your cat refuses food or eats much less than usual. Don’t wait if they are a kitten, seem unwell or are vomiting.
Read more about feeding ↗
✦ Drinks & treats
Keep fresh, clean water available. Many cats prefer their water away from their food and litter tray; you can offer a few bowls in quiet places.
Keep cat treats small and occasional: they are an extra, not a replacement for complete food. Ask your vet about suitable options if your cat has a health condition.
Read more from Cats Protection ↗
✦ Play & comfort
Try short games with a suitable cat toy, moving it like prey and letting your cat catch it sometimes. Some cats love an energetic chase; others prefer a gentler game.
Check toys for wear. Supervise string and wand toys, then put them away so your cat cannot become tangled or swallow parts.
Read more about play ↗
✦ Claws & play
Scratching is a normal cat behaviour. It helps them care for their claws, stretch and leave scent marks, even if they also go outdoors.
Offer a stable, tall scratching post or a horizontal scratcher if that is what your cat prefers. Try placing it near their bed or beside the furniture they like to scratch.
Read more about scratching ↗
✦ Litter trays
A useful guide is one tray per cat, plus one extra. Keep trays clean, in quiet accessible places, away from food and water. Older cats may need a lower-sided tray.
If your cat tries to wee but cannot pass a steady stream, contact a vet immediately. A blockage can be life-threatening. Changes in litter habits also deserve veterinary advice.
Read more about litter trays ↗ Cat first aid ↗
✦ Home & safety
Keep medicines, cleaning products and toxic plants out of reach. Many lilies are especially dangerous to cats, including their pollen; the safest choice is not to keep them at home or in the garden.
Contact your vet immediately and explain what may have been swallowed or touched. Do not wait for symptoms to appear.
Read about poisonous plants ↗
✦ Parasite care
Extra scratching, tiny dark specks in the coat or sore skin can be clues. A fine-toothed flea comb can help you check. Some cats show few signs, so ask your vet if you are unsure.
Some cats have no obvious signs. Others may have an upset tummy, lose weight or pass small segments resembling grains of rice near their bottom or in their poo. Contact your vet if you notice changes.
Indoor cats can still encounter parasites. Fleas can also pass on a type of tapeworm, so ask your vet about worming if your cat has fleas.
Cats Protection: fleas ↗ Worms ↗
✦ Treatment safety
Ask your vet for a plan based on your cat’s age, weight, health, lifestyle and local risks. An indoor cat and a cat that hunts may need different plans; kittens and pregnant cats need special advice. Follow the timing on the recommended product.
Use a product suitable for cats and their current weight, and follow your vet’s advice and the instructions. Products do not all cover the same parasites. Never use a dog flea treatment or household spray on a cat: some contain permethrin at levels poisonous to cats. If exposure or a reaction occurs, contact your vet immediately.
If there are fleas, ask your vet how to treat other pets as well. Vacuum soft furnishings and wash bedding; if a household treatment is needed, follow its instructions and keep pets away until safe.
PDSA: flea and worm treatment ↗ Permethrin safety ↗
✦ Teeth & travel
Ask your vet to show you how to introduce gentle tooth brushing. Use toothpaste made for cats, never human toothpaste. If your cat struggles to eat or has a sore mouth, contact your vet.
Leave a secure, well-ventilated carrier open at home with familiar bedding so your cat can explore it in their own time. For a journey, secure the carrier in the vehicle. Ask your vet for help if travel causes distress.
Dental care ↗ Travelling with cats ↗Provide a clean litter tray, a scratching place, somewhere peaceful to rest and a safe hiding spot. Gentle grooming helps you notice changes to the coat or skin.
Try short, gentle grooming sessions that your cat is happy with. Longhaired cats and older cats may need more help. If grooming suddenly changes or you find uncomfortable mats, ask your vet for advice. More about grooming ↗
Ask your vet about regular check-ups, vaccinations and parasite prevention suited to your cat. Keep their microchip contact details up to date in case they ever get lost.
If your cat’s appetite or behaviour changes, or you are worried about their health, contact your vet. Explore our body language guide for more clues about how they might be feeling.
Information from Cats Protection. General information does not replace advice from your vet.